Why Law Firm Alliance?

“The Law Firm Alliance provides a wealth of trusted resources for our clients and virtually expands our attorney network worldwide. We know our clients will receive top priority from the highly respected firms that belong to the Law Firm Alliance.”

The Law Firm Alliance is a strategic alliance of mid-sized law firms that was established to provide legal clients greater access to high quality and cost-effective legal services around the globe. Established in 2000, the strength of the Law Firm Alliance’s international network of member firms lies in the combined experience of more than 50 firms and 2,500 attorneys throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia, all with a deep commitment to client service. Through the Law Firm Alliance, member firms refer client matters to members in other locales with the knowledge that their client's legal needs will be met with the highest level of quality and service.

When Law Firm Alliance’s U.K. member firm Wallace LLP needed local counsel in Germany for a large international deal, its attorneys reached out to Law Firm Alliance partner Kleiner Rechtsanwalte to provide swift and effective results. Wallace was acting for its long established founder shareholder clients in the sale of a global provider of software for R&D businesses to a $20 billion U.S. company. During the sale process, it became apparent that the magnitude of the parties’ turnover meant that the sale would be subject to possible examination by the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellant). The matter required urgent attention, and a conference call between Wallace, Kleiner, the clients and corporate finance advisors took place within hours of the initial contact with Kleiner. Wallace and Kleiner worked closely with the acquiring company’s U.K., U.S. and German counsel to submit a fast track application to the Bundeskartellant and successfully obtained clearance to enable the sale to proceed on a timely basis.

When the attorneys at EC Legal Rubio Villegas, the Law Firm Alliance’s member firm in Mexico, were approached by a client with questions regarding his employment contract with the subsidiary of a Canadian mining company, they drew upon the extensive knowledge of Canadian employment law at Law Firm Alliance Vancouver firm Alexander Holburn. EC Legal Rubio Villegas’ client, whose employment had been terminated, needed advice regarding the termination and severance payment being made by his former employer pursuant to Mexican law. Upon looking into his contract, the attorneys at EC Legal Rubio Villegas discovered that the contract was drafted by the Canadian parent company and included more favorable conditions than were being offered by the Mexican subsidiary. EC Legal Rubio Villegas referred the client to Alexander Holburn, who successfully represented the client and obtained a far more lucrative outcome than was initially anticipated.

The Los Angeles firm of Freeman Freeman & Smiley, LLP (FFS) received a judgment against an individual awarding its client the right to a large, valuable blue diamond. However, immediately after obtaining the judgment, FFS learned that the debtor had secretly delivered the blue diamond to Harry Winston in New York who was assessing it for purchase. The information was learned on a Friday night. FFS promptly reached out to its Law Firm Alliance affiliate in New York, Cole Schotz P.C. (CS) who immediately sprang into action and, within days, obtained a protective order mandating that Harry Winston maintain custody of the blue diamond until the Court could determine the rights of the parties. The blue diamond could have been lost forever if it had been sold. Instead, due to the great team work of the Law Firm Alliance firms on opposite coasts, the creditor was able to regain custody of the valuable diamond.

Law Firm Alliance membership is highly selective and is offered on an invitation-only basis, promising that the caliber of firms selected is exceptionally high. Criteria include peer and client recommendations, service offerings, as well as ethical standards held within the firms. Prerequisites of membership include firms that offer full-service capabilities, the maintenance of substantial corporate and litigation practices and an outward display of a commitment to client service. In this way, clients of member firms are assured that they have chosen a firm which is amongst the top rated in its geographical area, and that they can expect this level of service in those jurisdictions where they may need to do business.

The Board of Directors completes extensive research and due diligence to ensure that prospective members are the right fit with the Law Firm Alliance.

The Law Firm Alliance holds two meetings each year – one in the spring and one in the fall - to give our members the opportunity to get to know one another on a personal level. The meetings take place over three days and include various educational sessions and discussion groups along with several social events to foster relationship building and a sense of camaraderie. All member firms are required to send a representative to at least one meeting each year.

The Law Firm Alliance is a network exclusive alliance, in that member firms are not permitted to be members of other legal referral networks.